San Clemente · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in San Clemente

San Clemente sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses in residential zones. Fence height depends on the yard and on corner lots, and cottage food operations follow separate rules.

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Key points

Fence height: Front-yard fences: at most 3 ft 6 in, or 6 ft with a Minor Exception Permit; side and rear setbacks, 6 ft.
Accessory height: Detached accessory buildings are limited to 15 feet; in the rear half, the zone limit applies if main-building setbacks are met.
Home businesses: A home business may use at most 20% of the home's habitable floor area; only residents may work there; a permit is required.

Each rule below is marked San Clemente code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Side and rear yard height	No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Street-side setback area of a reverse corner lot, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Street-Side Setback Area \| Reverse corner lot: 3 ft 6 in. No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Corner lots, within 5 feet of the street-side property line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Corner lot: Within 5 feet from street-side property line: 3 ft. 6 in. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Corner lots, rest of the street-side setback area beyond 5 feet from the line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Remaining width of street-side yard: 6 ft. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Interior side setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Interior Side Setback Area \| 6 ft. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Rear yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Rear Yard Setback Area \| 6 ft.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Interior side, rear yard and other areas of the lot in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Interior Side Setback Area \| 6 ft.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Front yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text Front Yard Setback Area \| 3 ft 6 in. Up to 6 feet, only with a Minor Exception Permit. Applies: Front yard setback area in residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text A Minor Exception Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall or hedge in front yards and street side yard setback areas (within five feet of property line) to be increased to a maximum of six feet per Section 17.16.080, Minor Exception Permits.
Permit	A Minor Exception Permit is needed to go up to 6 feet. Applies: Fences, walls and hedges in front yards and street-side setbacks within 5 feet of the property line, residential zones. § 17.24.090 · code text A Minor Exception Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall or hedge in front yards and street side yard setback areas (within five feet of property line) to be increased to a maximum of six feet per Section 17.16.080, Minor Exception Permits. A Conditional Use Permit is needed to go over 6 feet in the rear half of a lot. Applies: Residential fences, walls and hedges around tennis courts, similar recreation areas or private screened outdoor areas. § 17.24.090 · code text A Conditional Use Permit is required to allow the height of a fence, wall, or hedge in the rear half of a lot to exceed six feet when the fence, wall, or hedge encloses tennis courts, other similar recreational areas, or private screened outdoor areas, per Section 17.16.060, Conditional Use Permits.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached accessory buildings or structures in the front half of a residential lot. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory structures in the front half of the lot shall not exceed 15 feet in height; No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the rear half of a residential lot. A Development or Cultural Heritage Permit may allow up to the zone limit. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory structures shall have a maximum height of 15 feet, however; the height limit may be increased to the height limit of the zone with the approval of a Development Permit (Section 17.16.100) or Cultural Heritage Permit (Section 17.16.110). Up to the zone's height limit. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of residential lots. Those in required setbacks need a Development or Cultural Heritage Permit to exceed 15 feet. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of the lot encroaching into required setbacks may be constructed over 15 feet high, up to the height limit of the zone with the approval of a Development Permit (Section 17.16.100) or Cultural Heritage Permit (Section 17.16.110). Up to the zone's height limit. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of a residential lot that meet the zone's setbacks for the main building. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory buildings in the rear one-half of the lot may be constructed up to the height limit of the zone if detached accessory buildings comply with required setbacks of the zoning district for the primary building.
Side and rear setback	Up to a property line; 1 such building on lots up to 6,000 square feet, 2 on larger lots. Applies: Detached buildings of 450 square feet or less in the rear half, not on a through lot. Two must be at least 10 feet apart. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory building with 450 square feet or less floor area may encroach into the interior-side yard and/or rear yard setback of the zone up to a property line. Must meet the setbacks of the zone. Applies: Detached buildings over 450 square feet wholly in the rear half of a residential lot, not on a through lot. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory building with over 450 square feet of floor area shall conform to the setbacks of the underlying zone. Must meet the zone's setbacks for the main building. Applies: Detached accessory structures wholly in the rear half of a residential lot, not on a through lot. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory structure shall adhere to the setbacks of the zone for the primary building, except as modified by Table 17.24.080 B., Maximum Encroachments into Setbacks and Height Limits. At least 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: Corner or reverse corner lots, when the building is next to the front two-thirds of the neighboring key lot. § 17.24.040 · code text the rear setback for a detached accessory building/structure shall be five feet when the accessory building is adjacent to the front two-thirds of the adjacent key lot.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main building. Applies: Detached accessory buildings or structures in residential zones or on residential lots in mixed-use zones. § 17.24.040 · code text There shall be a five-foot minimum setback between an accessory building/structure and a primary building, measured at the closest distance between the wall or post of structures.

Running a business from home

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Space used	No more than 20% of the home's habitable floor area. Applies: General home occupations. § 17.28.160 · code text The home occupation shall be an incidental and accessory use and shall not change the principal character of the dwelling unit. The home occupation shall not involve more than 20 percent of the habitable dwelling floor area.
Customer visits	Up to 3 students at one time. Applies: Swimming lessons in an outdoor pool, without a Conditional Use Permit. § 17.28.160 · code text A home occupation consisting of swimming instruction for up to three students at one time may be conducted in an outdoor pool without a Conditional Use Permit. No more than 1 customer at a time. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 17.28.160 · code text No more than one customer may be allowed at the site at any given time.
Employees	Only residents of the home may be employed. Applies: General home occupations. § 17.28.160 · code text Only the residents of the dwelling unit may be employed in the home occupation. No more than 1 full-time employee, not counting family or household members. Applies: Cottage food businesses at the home. § 17.28.160 · code text A maximum of one full-time employee, exclusive of family/household members, may be employed by the cottage food home occupation business at the residence.
Permit	A Home Occupation Permit and a City business license are required. Applies: Businesses run as an accessory use to a home in any zone. § 17.28.160 · code text Home Occupation Permits, in accordance with Section 17.16.140, Home Occupation Permits of this title, and City business licenses are required when businesses are conducted as an accessory use to a primary residential use in any zone. A Conditional Use Permit is required. Applies: Running a home occupation outside the home or other enclosed structure. Swimming lessons for up to 3 students in an outdoor pool are exempt. § 17.28.160 · code text A Conditional Use Permit, in accordance with Section 17.16.060, Conditional Use Permits, of this title, may be requested to conduct a home occupation in other than an enclosed structure.
Businesses not allowed	Direct sales to customers on the premises Applies: general home occupations; indirect sales (telephone, catalog, services performed away from the premises) may be allowed; individual self-improvement instruction in the arts (nonamplified music, painting, crafts, dance) may be excepted § 17.28.160 · code text No direct sale to customers of any item or service related to a home occupation shall occur on the premises. On-site dining and customer loitering Applies: cottage food operations, other than brief sampling of cottage food products produced on the premises § 17.28.160 · code text On-site dining and customer loitering is prohibited other than the brief sampling of the cottage food products produced on the premises. Direct sales from the home from an attached garage, accessory structure, or any place outside of the residential dwelling Applies: cottage food operations § 17.28.160 · code text Direct sales from the home shall not be conducted from an attached garage, accessory structure, or any place outside of the residential dwelling.

RV and boat parking

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Where it may be parked	In a garage, carport or legal enclosure, or behind a fence or wall that fully hides it from the street. Applies: Boats, trailers and oversized vehicles on residential property; these spots are exempt from the 20-foot setback from the curb. § 17.64.080 · code text The boat, trailer, or oversized vehicle is parked in any area within a garage or carport or within a legal enclosure or behind a fence or wall which totally shields such boat, trailer, or oversized vehicle from view from the adjacent street; In the required driveway. Applies: Only self-powered, operable oversized vehicles; boats and trailers cannot park in required driveways. § 17.64.080 · code text The only oversized vehicles that shall be allowed to be parked in required driveways shall be oversized vehicles that are self-powered and operable. Boats and trailers shall not be parked in required driveways.
Screening and surface	A 6-foot-high fence, wall or hedge between the vehicle and the street-side property line. Applies: Boats, trailers and oversized vehicles outside the required driveway and visible from the street; the Director may allow 42 inches in some cases. § 17.64.080 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges provided for partial screening shall be six feet in height, unless granted an exception by the Community Development Director, as provided for in Subsection (G)(3) of this section. At least 50% opaque. Applies: Fences, walls or hedges used for partial screening. § 17.64.080 · code text Fences, walls, or hedges must be at least 50 percent opaque, as viewed from a line perpendicular to the fence, wall, or hedge. An all-weather surface. Applies: All parking spaces for boats, trailers and oversized vehicles. § 17.64.080 · code text Covered with an all-weather surface, as deemed appropriate by the City Planner; Keep the space clean, free of dust, mud and trash, and in good repair at all times. Applies: All parking spaces for boats, trailers and oversized vehicles. § 17.64.080 · code text Kept clean and free of dust, mud, and trash. Surfacing shall be maintained in a continuous state of good repair, as determined by the City Planner.

Solar panels and EV chargers

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative review by the Building Official; the permit can be issued once the application meets all checklist requirements. Applies: EV charging system permit applications. § 15.19.060 · code text The application shall be administratively reviewed by the Building Official as a nondiscretionary permit. You can apply electronically. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations. § 15.19.050 · code text The Building Official shall allow the electronic submittal of the electric vehicle charging station application. Approval is required before the station is installed or used. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations. § 15.19.050 · code text Electric vehicle charging stations cannot be installed or utilized until approval is granted by the Building Official.
Solar height and setbacks	The panel or module array cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. Applies: To qualify a small residential rooftop solar system for the expedited permit. § 15.04.080 · code text The panel or module array does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the City.
Solar permit process	Expedited administrative review using the City's checklist and standard plans. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar (up to 10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal) on a single-family home or duplex. § 15.04.080 · code text The intent and purpose of this section is to provide for an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act, as amended by AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014), to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. A permit is issued when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; electronic filing available, except fees. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar, unless the Director decides a use permit is needed. § 15.04.080 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents, excluding permit fees, by electronic means shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

Pets, chickens and bees

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Bees	Yes, with a permit. Applies: Within the city. § 6.28.060 · code text It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any hive or swarm of bees within the city without a permit.
Pet limit	Keeping 4 or more dogs or cats over 4 months old requires a private kennel permit. Applies: Any combination of dogs and cats; does not apply to holders of a valid animal rescue permit. § 6.24.010 · code text any person keeping four or more dogs or cats over four months in age, or any combination thereof, is first required to obtain a private kennel permit pursuant to San Clemente Municipal Code Section 6.20.010. No more than 6 animals, other than dogs or cats, over 4 months old, in any combination. Applies: On any residential property, unless the code expressly allows more. § 6.24.010 · code text Keeping more than six animals other than dogs or cats over four months in age, or any combination thereof, on any residential property is prohibited except as may otherwise be expressly permitted by this title.

Other San Clemente rules on this

San Clemente's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 16.50.010)
Two-unit projects (SB 9) (§ 17.86.010)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Clemente?

Front-yard fences: at most 3 ft 6 in, or 6 ft with a Minor Exception Permit; side and rear setbacks, 6 ft.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Clemente?

Detached accessory buildings are limited to 15 feet; in the rear half, the zone limit applies if main-building setbacks are met.

Can I run a business from my home in San Clemente?

A home business may use at most 20% of the home's habitable floor area; only residents may work there; a permit is required.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in San Clemente?

San Clemente's code: In a garage, carport or legal enclosure, or behind a fence or wall that fully hides it from the street. (Boats, trailers and oversized vehicles on residential property; these spots are exempt from the 20-foot setback from the curb.) (§ 17.64.080); In the required driveway. (Only self-powered, operable oversized vehicles; boats and trailers cannot park in required driveways.) (§ 17.64.080).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in San Clemente?

San Clemente's code: Administrative review by the Building Official; the permit can be issued once the application meets all checklist requirements. (EV charging system permit applications.) (§ 15.19.060); You can apply electronically. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.19.050).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Clemente?

San Clemente's code: Yes, with a permit. (Within the city.) (§ 6.28.060); Keeping 4 or more dogs or cats over 4 months old requires a private kennel permit. (Any combination of dogs and cats; does not apply to holders of a valid animal rescue permit.) (§ 6.24.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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